Oregon Could Expand Use Of Wine 'Growlers'

SALEM, Ore. – Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber is on a trade mission in Germany this week. One item on his agenda is to promote Oregon wines at a major tourism trade show. Meanwhile, back in Salem, lawmakers are trying to make it easier for Oregonians to buy more of that wine.

The Oregon House Wednesday approved a measure that would let wine aficionados fill up their own container at a store or restaurant. The bottles are sometimes called "growlers."

Democratic representative Paul Holvey told lawmakers the law would put wine on an equal footing with beer.

"It mirrors what brewpubs and what other on-premises licensees can do today with malt beverages. More Oregon wineries are packaging wine in kegs rather than the conventional glass bottle."

Oregon wineries are already allowed to sell growlers to their customers. But only a handful do. The measure to expand the use of wine growlers passed the House 56-0 and now heads to the Oregon Senate.